This project will be led by university of arizona PHD candidate deandra jones, with technical and logistical support from navajo nation department of fish and wildlife (nndfw)

The Navajo Nation Tribal Government received a $100,000 Project Grant awarded on March 4, 2025, under the Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) program (CFDA 15.639) administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. Led by University of Arizona PhD candidate DeAndra Jones in partnership with the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife, this project assesses the current status of the black bear population on Navajo Nation lands while integrating scientific research with traditional ecological knowledge. The project will deliver comprehensive population surveys through DNA analysis of hair samples collected during summers 2024 and 2025, structured interviews capturing traditional ecological knowledge conducted from September 2024 through March 2025, and human-dimensions research addressing human-wildlife conflicts. Key deliverables include population assessment reports, a traditional ecological knowledge repository, wildlife management recommendations, peer-reviewed publications, educational materials, and community engagement workshops.

The project extends through November 30, 2026, and incorporates partnerships with Wildlife Genetics International for DNA analysis and the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps for field survey and community engagement support during the 2025 field season. Initial funding for the 2024 field season was provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Division of Natural Resources Tribal Youth Initiative Program. The initiative directly benefits the Navajo Nation community, local wildlife managers, conservationists, and researchers by providing updated population data to guide conservation efforts while preserving cultural heritage and improving management of human-wildlife conflicts on tribal lands.

The project aims to assess the current status of the black bear population on the navajo nation to contribute to effective habitat management while preserving traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and minimizing human-wildlife conflicts. By providing updated population data and habitat assessments, the project will guide conservation efforts to protect population surveys, collecting hair samples for DNA analysis, gathering TEK through interviews, and assessing human-bear conflicts via surveys. Hair collection will take place during the summers of 2024 and 2025, with the human-dimensions research conducted from september 2024 to march 2025. Deliverables include comprehensive research reports, a TEK repository, wildlife management recommendations, published findings, educational materials, and community engagement workshops. The expected outcomes are updated black bear population data, preserved cultural knowledge, and improved management of human-wildlife conflicts. Beneficiaries include the navajo nation community, local wildlife managers, conservationists, and researchers. Nndfw has partnered with university of arizona and PHD candidate deandra jones will be leading this project with technical assistance fromnndfw. The bureau of indian affairs (BIA) and the division of natural resources (DNR) through the tribal youth initiativeprogram have funded the first field season of summer 2024. We anticipate contracting ancestral lands conservation corps teams to assist with field surveys and community engagement for our field season in 2025. Wildlife genetics international will perform DNA analyses on collected samples from both field seasons. This project integrates scientific research with TEK to preserve the cultural and ecological heritage of black bears on the navajo nation.